Jammu and Kashmir High Court and all subordinate courts in J&K and Ladakh shall remain closed for 21 days in view of nationwide lockdown called in the wake of coronavirus spread.
As a preventive measure, Chief Justice Geeta Mital in anorder has directed that “access to all the courts complexes of UnionTerritories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh including High Court complexes atSrinagar and Jammu will remain closed during the period of lockdown.”
To deal with “exceptionally urgent matters” pertaining to HighCourt, the order says that the Registrar Judicial concerned after seekingnecessary orders from the Chief Justice, will make necessary arrangements fortheir hearing from the residences of the Judges. “These arrangements will bemade in accordance with the directions of the Chief Justice and these hearingswill be on the virtual mode only,” it said.
However, the judicial officers, officers and staff ofRegistry and the staff of district courts will remain available at all thetimes at their respective residences to meet any emergent nature.
The Principal District and Sessions Judges have beendirected to make arrangements for hearings of “any exceptionally urgent civilor criminal matter” from the residences of Judicial Officers, who will bedesignated by the concerned District and Sessions Judge for the purpose. “Thehearings will be on the virtual mode only,” reads the order.
The officers and staff members in all the courts of Jammuand Kashmir, and Ladakh were strictly directed to adhere to the guidelinesregarding social distancing, restrictions, quarantine, and isolation like stepsto avoid spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, two High Court officials have been assigned taskto assist the court staff members in distress. The officials are Arvind Sharma,Registrar (Protocol), High Court of J&K, Jammu (9419254526, email id –arvind.jk0123@gmail.com), and Mehraj-ud-Din Sofi, Registrar (Protocol), HighCourt of J&K, Srinagar (9419970965, email id – sofimeraj@gmail.com).
For the District Court staff, a Judicial Officer will beassigned the task by the concerned Principal District and Sessions Judge, whosename and contact details be posted on the Court website.